Surya- Bobby Deol's Kanguva makes heroic entry in Oscars 2025 race: Here’s why it deserves the spotlight

Entertainment: Kanguva, directed by Siruthai Siva, was one of the most expected Indian films for 2024. With Suriya essaying dual roles, this one was a cinema spectacle to behold. Bollywood Diva Disha Patani featured as the lead opposite Suriya. Not to forget the antagonist in Bobby Deol, in his Tamil debut, who went all guns blazing after Animal, 2023. Though the movie was great and full of fantasy action, it could not work at the box office by collecting meagre ₹106 crore against a tremendous budget of ₹300-350 crore.

A surprising turn of events

The film could not do much to dampen its digital prospects, as Kanguva managed to attract a broader audience when released on OTT platforms shortly after its theatrical run. In an unexpected turn of events, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences shortlisted Kanguva for the 97th Academy Awards, placing it alongside critically acclaimed Indian films like Shuchi Talati's Girls Will Be Girls and Payal Kapadia's All We Imagine as Light.

Indian films in the spotlight at the Oscars

The Academy has 323 films on its eligibility list for Best Picture in 2025, with six Indian entries making it to the list. They include Kanguva (Tamil), Aadujeevitham: The Goat Life (Hindi), Santosh (Hindi), Swatantrya Veer Savarkar (Hindi), All We Imagine as Light (Malayalam-Hindi), and Girls Will Be Girls (Hindi-English). While some fans are overjoyed with this recognition, many netizens have been left wondering why Kanguva is on the list.

Mixed reactions and criticism

The film's selection has been a subject of debate online, with critics questioning how a box-office failure made it to the Oscars race. However, industry insiders argue that Kanguva's technical brilliance and ambition may have earned it a spot. Its nomination signals that the Academy values more than just commercial success, shining a light on the artistry behind filmmaking.